Location
Overview
Ezion-geber stood at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, the eastern arm of the Red Sea. It marks both a stage of the wilderness journey and, later, Israel's gateway to the sea.
A station of the journey
In the itinerary of Israel's wanderings, "they removed from Ebronah, and encamped at Eziongaber" (Numbers 33:35), and Moses recalls passing "from Eziongaber" by the way of the wilderness of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:8).
Solomon's seaport
Centuries later it became a harbour: "king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom" — and the fleet sailed to Ophir for gold (1 Kings 9:26–28).
Jehoshaphat's wrecked fleet
King Jehoshaphat later built ships at Ezion-geber to go to Ophir, but they were broken there and never sailed (1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:36–37).
Events Here
Israel encamps at Ezion-geber on the Red Sea
Solomon's navy sails for Ophir from Ezion-geber
Scripture References
7 versesNumbers2 verses
Numbers 33:35
And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Eziongaber.
Numbers 33:36
And they removed from Eziongaber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh.
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 2:8
And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 9:26
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom. shore: Heb. lip
1 Kings 22:48
Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber. made: or, had ten ships
2 Chronicles2 verses
2 Chronicles 8:17
Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom. Eloth: also called, Elath, Deut.2.8.
2 Chronicles 20:36
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.
Archaeology & History
Ezion-geber lay at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, near modern Eilat (Israel) and Aqaba (Jordan); the mound of Tell el-Kheleifeh is a leading candidate. Its position at the meeting of desert caravan routes and Red Sea shipping made it valuable to whoever controlled Edom.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Ezion-geber
Where is Ezion-geber today?
Today, Ezion-geber corresponds to Head of the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat / Aqaba).
What happened at Ezion-geber in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Ezion-geber include israel encamps at ezion-geber on the red sea; solomon's navy sails for ophir from ezion-geber.
Where is Ezion-geber first mentioned in the Bible?
Ezion-geber is first mentioned in Numbers 33:35.
How often is Ezion-geber mentioned in the Bible?
Ezion-geber is mentioned in 7 verses across 4 books: Numbers, Deuteronomy, 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles.
Why is Ezion-geber significant?
It was a wilderness encampment on the Red Sea, and later the seaport from which Solomon’s fleet sailed to Ophir for gold.
Where was Ezion-geber?
At the head of the Gulf of Aqaba (the eastern arm of the Red Sea), near modern Eilat and Aqaba.